Four Components of a Septic System

septic system

In order to properly care for and maintain your residential septic system, it is in your best interest to take a little time to learn about the four primary components of your septic system. The reason why this is so important is that there are things you can do with regard to each of these components to keep your residential septic system running free of problems.

Other common names for a residential septic system include:

  • individual sewage disposal system
  • on-site system
  • on-lot system
  • on-site sewage disposal system
  • on-site wastewater treatment system
  • leach field
  • soil absorption system (SAS)

Regardless of what you call it, the four primary components of a septic system are the septic tanks, the drainfield, the soil and a pipe that takes wastewater away from the home and  into the system.  Consider signing up for an annual preventative maintenance program with your septic system company for worry free services that will help you keep your system running in tip top shape.

Component #1 – The Septic Tank
The tank for your septic system in New Bedford  is a watertight container that is made out of either concrete, polyethylene or fiberglass and is buried underground. The primary function of the septic tank is to hold onto the wastewater from your home for a period of time until the solid waste settles out to form a sludge-like substance, with any grease or oils floating to the top as scum.

The sludge and scum are prevented from leaving the tank and entering the drainfield or leachfield area by the design of the septic tank. Compartments and a special T-shape outlet in the tank are used for this purpose. In addition, screens are also recommended for use as a means of reducing the amount of solids getting to the drainfield.

Some newer septic tanks are built with risers that have lids at the surface of the ground. This new design method allows your septic tank to be easily located and inspected by your septic system maintenance company. It also allows for easy pumping of the tank when necessary.

To prevent sludge and scum from building up inside your septic tank, you should have your system pumped every one, three or five years depending on use or as-needed. Speak with your septic system maintenance service provider and inspector to find out how effectively and efficiently your residential system is working. This will help prevent problems or failures from happening and will keep your system running properly.

Component #2 – The Drainfield
After the wastewater leaves the septic tank, it discharges into the drainfield.  Once  it  arrives in the drainfield which is also known as the leachfield,  it is treated further by aerobic bacteria in the soil.

If the drainfield of your New Bedford  septic system has become overloaded with too much liquid, it can flood and cause sewage to flow up to the surface. This can also result in backups throughout your home in sinks, toilets and other plumbing fixtures. Once this happens, all treatment of wastewater ceases until the system can be serviced or repaired.

Many states require homeowners to create a reserve drainfield on their property that will be suitable to create a new drainfield if the one they are currently using fails.  The best way to take care of your drainfield is to make sure that all the components of a septic system are in proper working order and are properly maintained. Once again, an annually preventative maintenance program is recommended to prevent failure and costly repairs.

Component #3 -The Pipe
A pipe is the third component in your residential septic system. The pipe is the go-between from your septic tank to your drainfield. This pipe must also be inspected and checked on a regular basis to make sure it is in proper working order and does not have any cracks or clogs. Ask your septic system maintenance provider about proper maintenance for your entire septic system and all of its unique components.

Component #4 -The Soil
Believe it or not, the soil that is in your drainfield is an essential component of your  septic system. Once the wastewater moves from the septic tank into the drainfield, it percolates into the soil. This is a natural method used for many years as a means of removing harmful bacteria, viruses and other pathogens.

Because it is so important to the effectiveness of your septic system, the type of soil used needs to be suitable for the job it needs to do in the drainfield. This should have been addressed when your septic system was designed, built and installed, however its a good idea to ask your maintenance service inspector to take a look at the soil in your drainfield to ensure that it is suitable for the job.

A Word About Alternative Systems

If you live in an area where the soil is not suitable for a traditional septic system, like Lakeville, Cape Cod, or Marshfield,  you might need to look into getting an alternative system installed. An alternative system is also used in areas where there are too many traditional residential septic systems in use or if the system has been placed too close to surface water or groundwater.

Know Your System
In addition to knowing the four primary components of your septic system,  it is important to know the location of your system on your property. You should have an “as-built” drawing for your home that accurately defines the property line, any buildings on your property and your septic tank, drainfield and reserve drainfield, if available.

If you do not have an “as-built” drawing for your home, you can get a copy from your local Board of Health.  You will need this drawing in the event of a formal inspection, particularly if you plan on selling your home, but it is good to have on-hand anyway in the event of an emergency. You should be able to see lids and/or manhole covers for your septic system on the drawing for quick and safe access.

Tanks that are older can be difficult to locate on a property, even for seasoned septic system professionals. This is because there are usually no visible parts, unlike modern systems. If your tank doesn’t have risers, your inspector or maintenance serviceman can help you locate your septic tank underground.

Call Septic Preservation Services at 877-378-4279  for a septic maintenance program and to answer any of your septic questions or visit www.septicpreservation.com

Septic Preservation Services Inspectors Complete Continuing Education

4/11/16 Septic Preservation Services strives to meet our customers needs. Our well trained licensed title 5 inspectors and wastewater operators that service Advanced Treatment Units maintain their skills by participating in continuous training. Recently we had team members participate in training at the Millbury, MA wastewater treatment plant, URI on site septic continuing education program, CPR training in Acushnet, and Advanced Treatment Unit product training in Taunton, MA. These ongoing training programs ensure that our team members provide the best septic services and inspections possible.  Call 877-378-4279 or visit www.septicpreservation.com

 

Septic Preservation Services is Expanding Title 5 Services

        Septic Preservation Services is expanding our wastewater and title 5 inspection services. To accomplish this we are searching for a licensed title 5 inspector and or wastewater treatment plant operator to join our team of professional service providers. This individual will be serving the area including but not limited to Lakeville, Rochester, Norton, Mansfield, Attleboro, North Attleboro, Rehoboth, Swansea, and Seekonk. If you are interested in joining our team and assisting with title 5 septic inspections and servicing advanced treatment systems please call Septic Preservation Services at 877-378-4279   or visit www.septicpreservation.com

 

Septic Preservation Services Conducting Title 5 Inspections

       Septic Preservation Services is conducting title 5 septic inspections and advanced treatment systems services on Thursday in Taunton, Lakeville, Norton, Rehoboth, North Attleboro, and Attleboro.

Ongoing Training for Septic Preservation Services

      Septic Preservation Services licensed title 5 septic inspectors, septic repair personnel, and septic installers are required to complete ongoing continuous training. As licensed professionals these individuals participate in continuous training to maintain their licenses as well as keep up with industry improvements. This continuous improvement includes reviews of local regulations so no matter where you are; Portsmouth, RI. Norton, MA. Raynham, MA, Halifax, MA. Middleboro, MA. or Lakeville, MA. Our professional team is familiar with the local regulations required by your town.

Call us at 877-378-4279 or visit www.septicpreservation.com

Septic Preservation Services will be throughout Massachusetts and Rhode Island this week for Septic Maintenance

         Septic Preservation Services will be completing septic system maintenance throughout Massachusetts and Rhode Island today. On Monday Septic Preservation Services will be in Tiverton, RI. Portsmouth, RI. Jamestown, RI. and Little Compton, RI. On Tuesday Septic Preservation Services will be in Southboro, Berlin, Millbury, Sutton, Upton, and Grafton. On Wednesday Septic Preservation Services will be in Marshfield, Dennis, Dennisport, and Yarmouth. On Thursday Septic Preservation Services will be in Mattapoisett, Dartmouth, Fall River, Attleboro, North Attleboro, and Norton. Our service technicians are professional and courteous so if you have any questions please feel free to ask or team members or call our office.

Septic Preservation Services in Maine This Week

         Septic Preservation Services will be completing several septic inspections this week in Maine. Our trained septic inspectors will be inspecting septic systems in Acton, ME. Arundel, ME. Berwick, ME Bowdoin, ME. Cape Elizabeth, ME. and Raymond, ME. if you see one of our trained septic inspectors and have questions about how your septic system works or about a septic inspection please feel free to ask questions or call our office.

Call 877-378-4279 or visit www.septicpreservation.com

Septic Preservation Services has E on Grinder Pump Inventory

3/31/16 Septic Preservation Services has expanded its E one grinder pump inventory to better support our customers. Our inventory now includes alternative manufacturers to E one. These alternative grinder pumps now allow us to replace E one grinder pumps, Liberty grinder pumps, or Myers grinder pumps. Our inventory of E one grinder pumps and alternative grinder pumps is conveniently located to support all of our customers no matter if you are located in Acushnet, New Bedford, Fall River, Wareham or anywhere else in our service area.

Visit www.septicpreservation.com or call 877-378-4279

Septic Preservation Services In Maine

3/30/16 Septic Preservation Services expands its septic inspection operations in Maine. As a premier septic inspection company we are looking for people willing to be trained in the industry as a septic inspector to work as part of our inspection team. Our primary goal is to hire someone for the southern Maine area including York, Eliot, Cape Neddick, Ogunquit, Wells, North Berwick, South Berwick, and Sanford. Our secondary areas of focus are Shapleigh, Waterboro, Dayton, Lyman, Biddeford up to the Standish, Windham region. If you are interested in working with a professional team please call our office.  Call 877-378-4279

Identifying and Dealing with Septic Issues in Rhode Island

Rhode IslandMost people don’t realize that they have septic tank system problems until it is literally staring them in the face. One of the reasons why people have septic problems in Rhode Island, Massachusetts and everywhere else in the New England area is that it is easy to forget about the septic system until its too late. It is easy to see why not taking proper care of a septic system, getting it checked or inspected regularly and having it cleaned or pumped when necessary, is the most common cause of septic tank system problems.

Normal Household Use
What is normal? Today’s septic systems are designed to be able to handle the wastewater and waste based on the number of bedrooms in the home, plus one. The “plus one” in this case is to accommodate two adults in the master bedroom. If you live in a four bedroom home, for example, your septic system should be able to handle use by five people.

However, if you live in a three bedroom home, but have six adults taking showers, using the bathroom, doing laundry and using dishes, you just might be overloading your septic system. The best way to determine what “normal” household use should be for your particular septic system is to contact a Rhode Island or Massachusetts septic service company for a complete assessment.

Not only will a professional assessment help to determine whether or not your septic system is adequate for the number of people in your home, but it will also determine the age of the equipment, whether it is working efficiently and if anything needs to be repaired or replaced. Contact All-Clear Septic & Wastewater for information about having an assessment performed to determine and prevent septic tank system problems.

How to Care for a Septic System
Everything that goes down one of the drains in your home, ends up inside your septic system. This includes toilets, but also sinks, showers, washing machines and garbage disposals too. Little things can really add up and wreck havoc, causing a multitude of septic tank system problems.

Knowing what can and cannot be flushed down the toilet is a great place to start. If you have young children in your home, it pays to start teaching them at a young age that toilets and drains are not okay for disposing of garbage and other potentially damaging items. As you children grow older, reminding them not to flush feminine hygiene products or use harsh chemicals that could end up in the drain, will be part of learning how to care for a septic system.

Speak with your Rhode Island or Massachusetts septic service company for more information on responsible septic system ownership and for more tips on how to care for a septic system. Even if you have had a septic system your whole life, there are always new tips and ideas to help you reduce the number of back-ups, repairs and other problems required throughout the life of your septic system.

Regular Maintenance is Required
Even if you have never had a single problem with your septic system, it is important to hire a company to do regular check-ups to determine whether or not your tank will need to be pumped or cleaned. Contact All-Clear Septic & Wastewater to find out more about their Preventative Maintenance Program, which has been designed to help stay ahead of septic problems in Rhode Island and Massachusetts before they become costly repairs.

After just a few years of use, even a brand new septic tank will end up with a build-up of scum and sludge. As this layer of solids grows within the tank, the wastewater that passes through the tank on its way to your drainfield can end up passing through too fast. It can also cause the solid to plug up your septic pipes on the way to the drainfield.

Overfilling your tank with too much wastewater is another reason for many typical septic tank system problems. Inviting guests over for the weekend or hosting a party for a couple dozen people on a Wednesday night, can cause an overfill of the tank. If your septic system is unable to handle all the excess wastewater, it will quickly fill up your drainfield and flood it with sewage. The cost to recover from such an issue can end up costing much more than a regular maintenance program would have.

Call for an Assessment Today!
If you would like a professional assessment of your septic system by a licensed, certified and experienced Rhode Island and Massachusetts septic system company, call Septic Preservation Services.   Septic Preservation Services provides a variety of valuable services to septic tank owners throughout the Southcoast area. Call 877-378-4279 or visit www.septicpreservation.com.

This blog was posted on www.allclearseptic.com on March 30, 2016.